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In this update:
Argall Report: Renovating Weatherly’s Schwab School and Hazleton’s Y
The August edition of my local TV program focuses on the renovation and reuse of the Schwab School in Weatherly and the YMCA building in Hazleton, two well-known buildings that have fallen into disrepair. The Schwab School, the pride of the Weatherly community for decades, closed in 1991. The building has remained vacant and blighted for 33 years. A strong public-private partnership which I developed with Rep. Doyle Heffley, Weatherly Borough officials, and the Alliance for Building Communities secured $11 million to renovate the school into 30 apartments while preserving the exterior. As the new state senator for this area, I placed the restoration and reuse of this historic old structure at the top of my priority list because I’ve seen how similar efforts in Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, White Haven and beyond have breathed new life into older communities. The YMCA building on Church Street in Hazleton is now undergoing renovations that will transform part of the building into a childcare, preschool, and after-school center that will provide services for up to 150 youth. As the chair of the Senate Education Committee, I’ve heard from many parents and employers about the serious local need for more childcare options. Future plans for the building include reopening the gymnasium, wellness center and aquatic center facilities for all to enjoy. My children both learned to swim at the Hazleton Y. Like so many others in the Hazleton area, I’m very excited by the transformation of this blighted and vacant structure into something we can all be proud of. Watch the full show here. Pine Grove Area Pathway Fights Local Hunger
I was invited to Pine Grove Area Pathway for the grand re-opening of their new, larger facility. Their story is inspiring – a small group of volunteers saw there was a serious need for a food bank in the Pine Grove area and took action to make it happen. Pine Grove Area Pathway is run 100% by volunteers and runs solely on donations – proof that government doesn’t have all the answers… nor should it. Any resident of the Pine Grove School District in need of food or other life essentials can receive help for a donation of $10 on the first and third Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m. Thank you for inviting me and Rep. JoAnne Stehr’s office and showing us around! More information about everything they offer can be found here. National Night Out Strengthens Community Bonds
Communities across Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties hosted National Night Out events this week to strengthen community bonds between police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and all who work to keep our communities safe. It’s a great way to show children that we are all responsible to work together to preserve the safety of our communities. Our staff was in attendance in Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, and Hazleton. Ashland postponed their event at their Memorial Field until next Tuesday, August 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. We’ll be there with books and information for children about safety and more. Visit the Carbon County Fair
The 25th annual Carbon County Fair runs until Saturday! It’s open from 4-10 p.m. during the week and 2-10 p.m. on Saturday. All the information you may need to plan your visit can be found here. PennDOT Offers Winter Maintenance Jobs
Individuals seeking seasonal employment can apply for a variety of winter maintenance positions now open through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The program runs September through April and includes positions for transportation equipment operators, diesel and construction equipment mechanics, radio dispatchers, auto mechanics, tradesman helpers, semi-skilled laborers and tunnel maintainers. Individuals in these positions supplement the permanent workforce and have the potential to lead to permanent full-time employment. Additional details about the positions, along with the job application, are available here and then go to “PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program.” Free Webinars Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. On Tuesday, Aug. 20 at noon, speakers will discuss web resources for effective research before, during and after your student makes postsecondary decisions. On Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on available loan programs, if there are costs not showing on the bill that must be paid and more. Register to attend the one-hour webinars. How Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Can Benefit From PA ABLE
PA ABLE gives individuals with disabilities a way to save money for the future without impacting important benefits like Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Tax benefits for saving with PA ABLE include:
PA ABLE accounts can be used to pay for a wide variety of disability-related expenses including rent, groceries, health care, vehicle adaptations, assistive technology and more. Treasurer Stacy Garrity and PA ABLE professionals are hosting free webinars on how to start saving:
For more information, visit paable.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253). Upcoming EventsDo you have concerns about state government? I will be hosting many events to hear directly from you about state and local issues in the coming weeks – NO question is off limits.
Rep. Heffley and I will be hosting a “Coffee and Conversation” event on Thursday, August 15 from 8-9 a.m. at the Albrightsville Fire Department. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-722-8700.
Rep. Dane Watro and I will be hosting an “Ice Cream and Conversation” event on Tuesday, August 20 from 5-6 p.m. at the Ringtown Area Senior Center. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-773-0891.
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I will be hosting a “Coffee and Conversation” event on Wednesday, August 21 from 8-9 a.m. at the Cressona Fire Company. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-621-3400.
Is your license plate worn out? You can get it replaced for free at an event I’m hosting with Rep. Watro on Tuesday, August 20 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hazle Township Commons Building. A local police officer will be on hand to inspect your plate to determine if it qualifies for free replacement. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-773-0891.
SCI Frackville and SCI Mahanoy will be hosting a joint job fair on Tuesday, August 13 and Wednesday, August 14 from 3-7 p.m.
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